This idea was brought up on another thread today, but I thought this particular angle deserved it's own thread.
Have you ever noticed that JWs that have completely swallowed the kool-aid are really whacked in their thinking when it comes to interpreting life's events. No matter how things turn out, good or bad, they always--and I mean ALWAYS--spin it to confirm the belief that Jehovah is blessing THEM and not unbelievers.
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Food for thought: There are no atheists in foxholes, or so we're told. But we'll never know if the soldiers blown to bits were praying to their God at the very moment their body exploded.
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I knew a really annoying "Brother" that was always going on and on telling everyone how much God was blessing him in this or that. Now don't get me wrong, I think people should be appreciative, but he was always saying stupid stuff like, "Jehovah really blessed me today." but it was always about really trivial stuff and not ever about anything really important. Now mind you, this guy was an elder and regular pioneer, very respected in the circuit as well as in the congregation. He was a highly sought after speaker in congregations all over Southern California and frequently was featured on Circuit Assemblies and District Conventions. Nevertheless, he often fell victim to this fallacious way of thinking about God's alleged involvement in his mundane affairs of life that is sadly ubiquitous among JWs.
For example, when he'd tell me about his latest "proof" of God's blessing I'd ask, "How so?"
Brother Blessed (BB) might say something like, "Well when I went to the Post Office this morning, I got a parking space right away even though the lot was full!"
Me, "So Jehovah is the God of Parking Lots?"
BB, "Whaddya' mean? Are you making fun of me?"
Me, "Well, it sounds like you're saying that the Creator of the Entire Universe thought it was important enough to drop everything else He was doing and just focus on making sure that YOU found a place to park so YOU could mail your mail."
BB, "That's right."
Me, "And all those other people that didn't find a parking place, God's NOT blessing them. Is that right?"
BB, "Yes, that's right."
Me, "And why is that?"
BB, "Because I'm serving Jehovah and they're not."
Me, "And you know this how?"
BB, "Because I got the parking place and they didn't."
Me, "That's your proof?"
BB, "Yes."
Me, "This mail, was it something 'theocratic' or just ordinary correspondence?"
BB, "It was just me paying my bills is all."
Me, "Then what makes you think Jehovah would bless that?"
BB, "I know because he did. I got the parking spot and everyone else was just circling around with no where to park."
Me, "I see ... I think. So WHY would Jehovah bless YOU and not the other people in the parking lot, especially considering the letters you had to mail were not of any spiritual importance?"
BB, "Because I'm pioneering and needed to get out in service afterwards. Also, I have a Service Meeting part tonight I need to get home and prepare."
Me, "Oh-kay ... So all that pioneering and meeting attendance is just so you can get good parking places?"
BB, "No, them's just the perks."
Me, "So God will 'bless' you when it comes to parking even though you can't speak English properly, but that's OK because you spend 90 hours a months walking up and down Ventura Boulevard in a suit being ignored by the few people that are, for-whatever-reason, also walking down the street, but going the opposite direction."
BB, "Exactly! Now you're getting it."
Me, "What about your wife leaving you? I mean that was really tragic for you wasn't it?"
BB, "Yes it was. You know, she broke my heart! Why are you bringing that up? That really hurts!"
Me, "I know it does and I'm sorry. But where was Jehovah's blessing there? Wouldn't you rather have a faithful wife than a good parking space at the post office?"
BB, "Why are you saying this? You're making me mad. I don't like where this conversation is going ...."
Me, "No, I'm sure you don't and come to think of it neither do I!"
